Canned pumpkin is the star of this recipe, creating recipes with canned pumpkin will allow you to make your favorite pumpkin dish any time of the year. This is a great dip to create two ways, one is sweet the other is savory. The first recipe I have for you will be the sweet version served with sliced apples and pita crisps, it quickly becomes part of your families “requested snacks list”.

Pumpkin Dip Recipe

Yields about 24 servings

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions

Blend cream cheese and confectioner's sugar until smooth in a medium bowl, gradually start mixing in the pumpkin small amounts at a time to insure it is properly blended. Stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice then orange juice, blending until smooth -- refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

This is one of those dips that you will find very memorable, it has a great combination of flavors. This dip tastes great served with apple slices, ginger bread cookies, pita crisps or even dehydrated apple slices. It is one of those recipes to make up when company comes over unannounced, or you can use it as part of a holiday appetizer table. The second recipe is the savory version, just mildly flavored with sage. This version of the dip tastes great with pita chips, crackers, or cheese cut into strips the size of french fries -- the dipping possibilities are endless.

Savory Pumpkin Dip
Yields about 24 servings

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups pureed garbanzo beans (chick peas)
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon sage
1 teaspoon frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions

Blend cream cheese and pureed garbanzo beans until smooth, place in a medium bowl. Gradually mix in the pumpkin, small amounts at a time to insure it is properly blended. Stir in the cinnamon, sage then orange juice, blending until smooth, keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

I think the savory version is also an amazing recipe -- it has deep flavors that lend to the festivities of fall very well, as it truly celebrates the flavor of pumpkin. I believe this will end up being one of those recipes you hand down to generations, purely because of the simplicity and great taste.